Castel Madama (Rome, Italy) — Now is the perfect time to indulge in the Ficacci Mini Paper Tray Trio! Ficacci, a renowned leader in table olive production for over 60 years, based in Castel Madama near Rome, has once again set a new standard with the launch of a new 7.5 oz eco-friendly tray. This groundbreaking product is ideal for those who value premium quality and sustainability in their aperitivo time.
The Ficacci Mini Paper Tray Trio combines three exquisite olive varieties, delivering a diverse and refined tasting experience in a stylish, compact, and eco-friendly design. Made using FSC® or PEFC™-certified paper, the tray is 100% recyclable and designed for direct serving, ensuring the olives maintain their authentic flavor and quality for an exceptional Italian aperitivo experience.
Building on the success of the Mediterranean Olive Platter, a family-sized pack tailored for the Ho.Re.Ca. Sector, Ficacci now presents a downsized 7.5 oz format—ideal for consumers seeking to elevate their aperitivo experience. This clean-label product is free from brine, liquids, and preservatives and ensures the olives retain their pure, authentic flavor for a truly premium tasting experience.
The Mini Paper Tray Trio is available in two varieties: pitted and unpitted olives. Each offers a premium selection in a convenient three-section tray.
Mini Trio Pitted Olives: Featuring sweet Castelvetrano Olives (delicate and buttery), Kalamata Olives (rich and robust), and an Italian Olive Mix (Nocellara del Belice and Leccino).
Mini Trio Unpitted Olives: These sweet Castelvetrano Olives, Black Gaeta Olives, and Cerignola Olives highlight Italy’s finest varieties.
Perfect for any occasion, the Mini Trio combines elegance, practicality, and sustainability in its innovative, eco-friendly packaging. The tray is made of 87% paper and 13% plastic. It features a How2Recycle label from the GreenBlue organization, which provides clear instructions for disposal. According to the label, the tray can be recycled with paper once the inner plastic liner is removed. This liner can be easily separated and discarded with general waste.
Discovering Olives: Our Tips
Think olives are just a side dish? Think again. Table olives are more than a simple snack—they’re a Mediterranean treasure, rich in history and authentic flavors. Ficacci’s innovative approach celebrates each unique olive variety. Crafted with care at the Castel Madama facility, Ficacci’s olives have become a globally cherished and enjoyed appetizer.
Italian Varieties, Including PDO Olives
Italy is home to approximately 80 olive varieties, including four with coveted PDO status: Ascolana del Piceno, typically breaded, stuffed, and fried; Bella della Daunia, green or black, also known as Cerignola; Nocellara del Belice, valued not only as a table olive but also for its high-quality olive oil; and Gaeta, distinguished by its rosy-purple hue.
Olive Colors and Harvest Time
Olive color changes based on harvest time as they ripen: unripe olives are green, fully ripe olives turn black, and shades of purple reflect the various stages of ripening.
NOT JUST FOR APERITIVO: OLIVE-BASED RECIPES TO ELEVATE ANY MEAL
Table olives are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in countless recipes beyond the aperitivo. Here are some inspirational ideas:
- Gourmet Salads
- Olives add flavor and color to salads, complementing sun-dried tomatoes, capers, fennel, and red onion for a gourmet touch.
- Sauces and Tapenade
- Olives are perfect for creating a classic tapenade with capers, anchovies, and olive oil. Tapenade can also be spread on crostini or bruschetta or used as a dressing for meats and fish.
- Baked Dishes
- Add olives to homemade bread, focaccia, or savory pies for a Mediterranean flair. They also make a great addition to calzones and stuffed sandwiches.
- Stews and Casseroles
- Olives add rich depth to stews and casseroles, such as Moroccan tagine, and pair well with chicken, beef, or lamb alongside tomatoes, onions, and spices.
- Pasta and Risotto Toppings
- Olives make an excellent topping for pasta or risotto. A classic example is pasta alla puttanesca, with olives, capers, and tomatoes. Chopped or whole olives also elevate simple risottos.
- Stuffing for Vegetables
- Chopped olives mixed with breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs create a savory filling for baked zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant.
- Pizza and Piadina (Flatbreads)
- Olives are a classic topping for pizza and Piadina Emiliana (typical Italian flatbreads filled with grilled vegetables and cheese)
- Olive-Infused Oil
- Blend olives with olive oil to create a flavorful infused oil for drizzling on salads, bruschetta, or grilled meats.
- Cheese and Charcuterie Pairings
- Serve olives alongside cheeses and cured meats on a charcuterie board, or marinate them with herbs, garlic, and lemon zest for an extra burst of flavor.
The Ficacci Mini Paper Tray Trios are available at leading international specialty retailers Minitrio.ficacci.com
Ficacci
Established in 1964 by Romeo Ficacci, who followed in his father’s footsteps by developing the table olive trade in Rome’s local markets, the Ficacci company has a long and successful history that spans over three generations. Romeo and his wife Rita’s entrepreneurial skills allowed the company to start industrial-scale production in the 1970s to conquer the Italian and international market shares. The Ficacci company is located in Castel Madama, 25 miles east of Rome, and produces olive-based products using olives from Italy, Spain, and Greece. Ficacci is a reference point for large-scale retail trade, retail, food service, and industry, and it is present in 43 countries worldwide. With 12 semi-automatic packaging lines, the company produces approximately 25 tons of olives per day at a production plant that complies with the highest quality and food safety standards.
Check out the website section dedicated to the company’s 60th anniversary
